Erica Ito is an actor based in New York City, but credits her theatre background to a summer magic camp that taught her improv. After attending the University of Michigan and graduating with her BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in English Literature, Ito went on to build her impressive resume. Most recently seen as Nessarose inWicked, she’s also sung on theMy Heart Says Go Studio Cast Recording and in a developmental concert of this new musicalPump Up The Volume, based on the 1990 film. When Ito’s not onstage, she puts her English Literature minor to work through a literary analysis podcast she co-hosts and produces. Her advice to young artists? “ You either define ‘success’ for yourself or abandon the idea entirely and just have fun and mess around and make sure you’re able to pay your rent each month.” Read on to learn more about Erica Ito and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Saki Masudais a performer based in NYC. After seeing a production of Peter Pan at a young age, Masuda fell in love with the arts and quickly enrolled in ballet classes. After graduating from Kyoto Women’s University, she began pursuing theatre in the U.S., enjoying 15 years (and counting!) of performing professionally. Now, her resume boasts credits such as The King And I, Cats, The Bodyguard, Elf The Musical, The Little Mermaid, The Little Prince, Sayonara (a staged reading), as well as work with the General Mischief Dance Theatre, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Heidi Latsky Dance, and Catskill Ballet Theatre – but you can catch her inA Christmas Carolas an associate choreographer this season!Masuda’s advice to young artists? “Learn and take opportunities from as many people as much as you can, and connect!”Read on to learn more aboutSaki Masudaand what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Natsuko Hirano is a performer and flight attendant based in NYC. At five years old, she began attending ballet classes, and fell in love with musical theatre after seeing a production of Sailor Moon at 10. After attending Santa Monica College and AMDA, Hirano’s resume boasts Off-Broadway credits with Pan Asian Rep, a YouTube horror web series (Demon Doctor: The Second Codex), and voiceover with Hellmann’s Mayonnaise for their Super Bowl commercial in 2024. She credits her strength in dance and her native language for furthering her career, and advises young artists to “be flexible and go with the flow. Be nice and be a good human.” Read on to learn more about Natsuko Hirano and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Olivia Oguma is a multidisciplinary artist (and diehard Cirque du Soleil fan!) based in New York City. The daughter of a sushi chef and a ballerina, Oguma got her start at 6 years old on Sesame Street. Since then, she’s graced Broadway stages (Mamma Mia), originated the role of Kelsi Neilson in the first national tour of High School Musical, and worked on new works such as Snow Falling On Cedars,a stage version of the novel – and can now be seen in HAIR at Two River Theater as Jeanie and at Joe’s Pub hosting her Asian variety show, DiOrientalism, with Kate Rigg. When Oguma is not onstage, she sponsors a child through the Lelt Foundation, an organization that aids Ethiopian orphans founded by a Broadway pit musician (Anja Wood) that adopted an Ethiopian child. Her advice to young artists? “You need to decide what your definition of success is for yourself… sit down and say ‘I wanna be in the arts because I wanna tell stories.’” Read on to learn more about Olivia Oguma and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Elise Solbergis a musician and performer based in Los Angeles. She got her start at four years old playing piano, which took her to the Yamaha Advanced Piano Academy in Tokyo. Upon moving to America, she took classical lessons from individual teachers, eventually receiving admittance to theUniversity of Southern California in the Thornton School of Music. After graduating, Solberg received an offer to perform alongside Chloe x Halle on MTV! Now, her resume includes credits such as playing at Coachella with Doechii, the Oscars for Beyoncé, the Veterans History Project for the Library of Congress, and NPR’sTiny Desk Concert. You can also catch her flute solo in Dannylux’s new album, “DLUX” with a flute solo – and now that she’s signed with Warner Chappell and Sir Nolan, you can expect to hear more soon! When she’s not creating, Solberg is the founder and executive director of Turn Up Her Mic, a nonprofit to empower women in live music in a male-dominated field. Her advice to young artists? “Whatever career you choose in the arts, it’s important to always remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint.”Read on to learn more aboutElise Solbergand what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Austin Sora is a dancer based in NYC. After a small stint in amateur paleontology, snowboarding, swimming, and running (with plenty of exposure to live theatre growing up), she settled on dance and took up training professionally at Canada’s National Ballet School. Now with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Arts Administration from Marymount Manhattan College, her work includes touring the States with The Phantom of the Opera, performing with Bruce Wood Dance at Jacob's Pillow, and now rehearsing with Woman In Motion. Offstage, Sora serves as the Program Manager for Broadway Green Alliance, an organization that “[advocates] for sustainability in the theatre industry.” Her advice to young artists? “Work hard and be a nice person!” Read on to learn more about Austin Sora and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Yuko Torihara is an actress based in NYC, but she’s tried just about everything in-between offstage – from wardrobe styling, photography, producing,, set design, and more across the UK, US, and Japan! Over the pandemic, she directed a short film (Chinatown Beat) in collaboration with prominent Asian artists (such as Henry Chang and Corky Lee), was recently seen in the new Starbucks Reserve campaign, and currently stars as Miko Kaplan in the hit Netflix show,The Watcher. Her advice to young artists? “Work on cultivating a solid and deep self love, a healthy relationship with yourself… Keep on saying yes to change and transformation, as you don’t know where you will end up.” Read on to learn more about Yuko Torihara and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Rumi Oyama is a multidisciplinary artist based (and ex-fortune teller!) in NYC. She got her start dancing at 15 years old in high school, taking up part-time jobs to support her dancing and singing lessons. After getting her B.A. in law, she went on to make her Broadway debut in Allegiance, starred in Running for Grace streaming on Amazon Prime, and is currently working on a new film, Spirit Box! In addition to performing, Oyama founded her own film company, Kuma Dakko Productions, to “unite people despite race, gender, class and sexual orientation.” Her advice to young artists? “Don't be afraid to be “you”. You don’t have to shape yourself to please other people.” Read on to learn more about Rumi Oyama and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Saki Kawamura is aninterdisciplinary artist and award-winning director based in NYC. She got her start at just two years old dancing, but it wasn’t until she spent more time observing directors while onstage as an actor that she realized directing appealed to her too! Now, her work includes Disney’s Broadway Hits, Serenity and Delight by Momo Akashi, The Tree by Barbara Anderson, and directing The Man who Turned into a Stick as well as Assistant DirectingCLUEat Paper Mill Playhouse. Now, she serves as the Associate Director at George Street Playhouse for Joy (The New Musical)! Kawamura also recently became the “Associate Artistic Director of Ren Gyo Soh, a butoh theatre company in NYC” where she plans to highlight stories about immigrants, and is collaborating with Mudita, a non-profit interdisciplinary show. Her advice to young artists? “Always remember to listen to your heart. Keep creating and don’t forget to learn!” Read on to learn more about Saki Kawamura and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Grace Aki is a writer, performer and illustrator based in NYC. After making her stage debut at 5 as Quackers the Duck in a local production of The Three Little Pigs, she studied at the The Barrow Group School and went on to perform on the Cartoon Network, in her solo show To Free a Mockingbird (which was chosen for the SheATL & NYC New Play festival!) and assorted new works, and to open her own Etsy shop for her art – but offstage held the crown of North Georgia Fair Queen and is an avid hot dog enthusiast. Through her work, Aki hopes to both shed light on important topics like invisible abuse and to provide her community with characters that “look and sound like [them].” She advises young artists to “engage in pop culture” and to “learn from everyone.” Read on to learn more about Grace Aki and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Brooke Ishibashi is an actress based in NYC. Born into a musically entertaining family with an opera and R&B background, she’s now developed and originatedCambodian Rock Band. (which played at South Coast Repertory, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the La Jolla Playhouse) and is now performing in Broadway’s revival ofInto the Woods! When she’s not onstage, Ishibashi is the cofounder of Be An #ArtsHero, an arts advocacy and lobbying organization aimed towards providing relief to the Arts in America. Passionate about telling resonant stories exploring social justice, anti-racism, and trans-generational trauma, Ishibashi finds herself connected deeply to work that heals marginalized communities. Her advice for young artists? “Know your worth and always ask for more.” Read on to learn more about Brooke Ishibashi and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Kendyl Ito is an actress based in Queens! After her first exposure to theatre at the age of five and performing in her first show at 8, Ito decided to pursue entertainment professionally. Inspired by “making weird art,” she’s since appeared in projects such as Soft Power, Wild Goose Dreams, Half the Sky,and the limited-engagement tour of Broadway’s Waitress as Dawn! As an AAPI woman, she navigates working in an industry “not designed for [her] voice to be heard” and uncovering acceptance within her workplace and herself. Her three pieces of advice for young artists? “See everything and anything you can… don’t be afraid to ask questions… [and] trust your gut.” Read on to learn more about Kendyl Ito and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Yuka Tadano is a jazz artist based in NYC! Growing up in a musical family, she picked up the violin at the age of 6 and played duets with her twin sister. After rediscovering her love for music through the electric bass in high school, she went on to pursue music professionally and studied at the University of North Texas. Now, her resume boasts credits such asSmokey Joe's CafeRevival at Stage 42,The Lightning Thiefon Broadway, andTony and The Kiki, and has played Shanghai Concert Hall with her band (YT little d). She’s now involved withSuffs, a new show to be produced at The Public theatre! Her biggest takeaway as an artist? Knowing one’s limits to avoid burnout, and to “work hard, [and] treat yourself lovely.” Tadano advises young artists to research and network with the people they admire by “[seeing] their shows… [introducing] themselves… [asking] them to meet for coffee… [and asking] specific questions.” Read on to learn more about what makes Yuka Tadano an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Momoko Sugai is a performer (and Pisces!) based in Pasadena. At the age of 5, she developed her lifelong love of dance through tap classes in Japan, and her commitment to theatre through a production ofAnnieat 11 years old! She went on to graduate from Fullerton College and acquire impressive credits such asAllegianceon Broadway andMamma Mia!at the La Mirada Theater! Her favorite part of the industry? Traveling and meeting new people – be it through living in a cast house with seasoned industry professionals or performing on a cruise ship and waking up in incredible new locales each day! She advises young artists to keep in mind that everyone’s needs are different, which makes their needs as creatives different, to trust themselves and their process, and above all, to “keep doing what [they] love!” Read on to learn more about Momoko Sugai and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Keiko is an educator turned actress based in Los Angeles. Originally at Stanford University for pre-med biology, she discovered a passion for teaching that led to co-writing and producing a student’s play. Keiko felt moved by the production’s power, and went on to apply and become accepted into Cal State Fullerton’s MFA program. Now, Keiko stars on popular streaming services such as Showtime’s “City on a Hill,” and has produced a documentary (“Herselves”) for The New Yorker! In addition to her impressive resume, Keiko serves on Carry the Future’s advisory board to provide aid to refugee families. She advises young artists to “focus on developing [their] own authenticity” and to ask questions that allow for self-expression and foster imagination. Read on to learn more about Keiko Elizabeth and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
